In Michigan, as in many other states, there is no statewide law regulating the practice of urban chicken farming. However, there are local ordinances that can allow or prohibit you from keeping chickens in a resident area. That means whether or not you can engage in the practice of urban chicken keeping in Michigan depends on where you live. This makes it important to check with your city before engaging in such a practice. You can do so by contacting your city clerk or local animal control office. You should take careful note of any special rules or restrictions, even if your city allows backyard chickens.
Many Michigan cities require residents to first file an application for a permit and pay a fee to keep chickens. In most Michigan cities where urban chicken keeping is allowed, roosters are prohibited and there is a limit on the number of hens you are allowed to have. Then again, you may not be allowed to own chickens if you live in a HOA community, even if chickens are allowed in your city. That's because HOA laws usually prohibit chickens.
According to the Detroit Free Press, about 1.4 million people were living in HOA communities in Michigan in 2023. If you happen to be one of those people, your chances of owning chickens are rather slim. In this article, I've listed a few Michigan municipalities in which you can have backyard chickens on your residential property. My list isn't exhaustive, meaning many more Michigan municipalities allow chickens. If the list does not include your city, contact your local authorities regarding the legality of backyard chicken keeping in your locality.
1. Detroit, MI
The city of Detroit has a proposed ordinance that would allow residents to obtain a license to keep chickens and ducks on their residential property for personal use. However, roosters are not allowed in the proposed ordinance, which would allow a maximum of 8 chickens per property. This can be a combination of hens and ducks or all hens or all ducks. The ordinance would require hen and duck enclosures to be kept 30 feet away from your neighbor’s home and 5 feet from side property line lines. On Feb 9, 2024, Bridge Detroit reported that the ordinance was "finally in the pipeline for Detroit." But as of the time of this article, the ordinance is still labeled as "proposed."
2. Grand Rapids, MI
A Backyard Chicken Permit is required to own chickens in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. To obtain the permit, your property must meet certain size requirements. In addition, you must notify your adjacent neighbors beforehand, as they can cause your application to be denied. To be eligible, your property must be at least 3,800 square feet (0.087 acres) in area. Additionally, your property must not include more than 2 dwelling units. If you're a tenant, you must have written permission from your landlord.
3. Warren, MI
If you reside in the city of Warren, MI, you can obtain a permit to have up to 3 backyard chickens. However, only female chickens are allowed and they must be kept for personal use only. There is a $10 fee for the permit, which expires on December 31 of every year. when applying for the permit, you must provide a drawing and brief description of your proposed chicken coop as well as the proposed location in your yard.
4. Ann Arbor, MI
With a $55 permit from the City Clerk, you can have up to 6 backyard chickens in Ann Arbor, MI. To be eligible for a permit, the principal use of your property is required to be for a single-family or 2-family dwelling. You must not keep any roosters and you must not slaughter any chickens. Hens are required to be kept in a coop or fenced enclosure at all times. Such coop or fenced enclosure must be located in the backyard, 10 feet from property lines, and 40 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent property. In 2020, MLive reported that Neighbor permission was no longer required for backyard chickens and ducks in Ann Arbor.
5. Lansing, MI
You can have chickens in the city of Lansing, MI, under certain conditions. According to the Ingham County chicken ordinance, a maximum of 5 chickens (no roosters) may be kept on one or two-family residential property. The hens must be confined to an enclosure so constructed as to prevent the hens from leaving your property. The ordinance prohibits owners from slaughtering chickens on their property.
6. Dearborn, MI
With a permit, you can have backyard chickens in Dearborn, Michigan. You can obtain the permit from the director of residential services. On the granting of this permit, you must not allow your chickens to run at large. In addition, you must not keep chickens in an unsanitary condition or else your permit will be suspended by the director of residential services.
7. Clinton Township, MI
A permit is required to keep chickens on residential properties less than 5 acres in Clinton Township, MI. An application for a permit must be accompanied by written consent from adjacent property owners. As per the Township Code, you may keep no more than 4 hens on your property, the principal use of which is for a single-family dwelling, or a two-family dwelling. You must not keep any rooster, slaughter any chickens, or sell any eggs.
You must provide your chickens with a covered enclosure that must be located 10 feet from any property line. In addition, your chicken enclosure must not be located closer than 60 feet to any occupied residential structure on adjacent property. This requirement, however, can be waived, provided you obtain a positive written statement from all adjacent landowners.
8. Troy, MI
The City of Troy permits the practice of backyard chicken keeping. According to the city's website, however, an Animal Permit from the City is required in advance. Additionally, a waiver from the Troy Animal Control Appeals Board is required if your property is less than 3/4 of an acre.
9. Westland, MI
You can have backyard chickens in Westland, MI, provided you meet certain requirements. The city code requires your property to be one-half acre. In addition, your chicken enclosure must not be closer than 20 feet to adjacent property lines or closer than 40 feet to any dwelling.
10. Waterford Township, MI
Chickens and ducks are allowed on residential-zoned lots in Waterford Township, MI. However, roosters aren't allowed on residential-zoned lots. A no-fee permit, which can be obtained from the Township Municipal Clerk's Office, is required to keep hens or ducks. Up to 12 hens or ducks are allowed on lots from 0.5 acres to less than 5 acres. However, you must meet the minimum size requirements of chicken coops and enclosed yards. The slaughtering of chickens must be done discreetly and away from prying eyes.
Other Michigan Municipalities That Allow Backyard Chickens
- Novi, MI
- West Bloomfield, MI
- Georgetown Township, MI
- City of Ypsilanti, MI
- Battle Creek, MI
- Portage, MI
- East Lansing, MI
- Redford Charter Township, MI
- Roseville, MI
- Meridian Township, MI
- Commerce Charter Township, MI
- Muskegon, MI
- Holland, MI
- Plainfield Charter Township, MI
- Delta Township, MI
- Northville Township, MI
- Jackson, MI
- Gaines Charter Township, MI
- Burton, MI
- Oak Park, MI
- Southgate, MI
- Washington Township, MI
